1. A mostly-working computer thrown
together from the spare parts of several machines out of which the
magic smoke had been let. Most shops have a closet full of
nonworking machines. When a new machine is needed immediately (for
testing, for example) and there is no time (or budget) to
requisition a new box, someone (often an intern) is tasked with
building a Frankenputer. 2. Also used in referring to a machine
that once was a name-brand computer, but has been upgraded long
beyond its useful life, to the point at which the nameplate
violates truth-in-advertising laws (e.g., a Pentium II-class
machine inexplicably living in a case marked "Gateway 486/66").